Author Question: There are several suicidal clients on the psychiatric unit. When meal trays are returned to the ... (Read 93 times)

cmoore54 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

There are several suicidal clients on the psychiatric unit. When meal trays are returned to the kitchen, a serrated-edge knife is missing. The nurse to whom the aide reports this should:

1. Acknowledge the information and be watchful for the remainder of the shift
2. Ask each of the clients on suicide precautions where the knife is hidden
3. Report the information to the charge nurse and suggest a unit search
4. Report the information to security and let them handle the matter

Question 2

A newly admitted client with depression has been determined as suicidal and in need of one-to-one supervision. What is the best statement to inform the client of the plan of care?

1. A staff member will be with you at all times to watch you for suicide gestures.
2. On this unit, a staff member stays with each new admission for the first 24 hours.
3. We are not sure you would be willing to tell a staff member if the urge to com-mit suicide becomes strong, so to prevent hospital liability someone will stay with you.
4. We understand the impulse to attempt self-harm may be strong, so someone will stay with you to help you control the impulse.

Viet Thy · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 3
This is an important safety issue. Option 1 is incorrect, since being watchful is not sufficient to ensure safety. Option 2 assumes that only the clients on suicide precautions would know about the knives, and that may not be true. Security does not need to be called in at this time, so option 4 is incorrect. Searching the unit for the missing knife (option 3) would be the safest option.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 4
Option 1 is too threatening and intrusive. Option 2 is not true, and option 3 indicates that the staff is mostly worried about the hospital. Option 4 is caring and helpful and therefore correct.